ADHD treatment options for adults
Published Jul 22, 2008
Many adults that might not have been diagnosed with ADHD/ADD as a child find they are struggling with some of the same behavior patterns that they experienced as a child. It wasn’t until recently that there has been an adult indication for medical treatment for ADD/ADHD.
There are numerous questionnaires published in magazines and on the Internet that try to help a person determine if symptoms of ADHD are interfering with quality of life. Most of these questionnaires point out the basic behaviors that may be present in attention deficit disorder. I think it’s helpful to take some of these personalized tests to see how you score. If indeed, insurmountable problems are repetitively reoccurring in your life, seeking medical help may change the course of your life.
Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine are two classes of medications used in the treatment of ADHD. Only dextroamphetamines, brand name of Adderall (amphetamine mixed salts) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), have been approved for adults. Non-stimulant medication by the name of atomoxetine, brand name of Straterra, has also been approved for adults and older children.
Just as with children, the problems of organization, distractibility, impulsivity and inappropriate social interaction may be present in adults. Some adults like their “ADHD personality” and have good coping skills in everyday life. But other adults find they are dysfunctional and may have trouble sustaining their job, personal relationship, day-to -day activities and responsibilities. It is in this group of individuals that medication can be life-changing. Artistic and creative talents can still be expressed while being treated and completion of projects may be the outcome of things that might otherwise have been left on the drawing table (so to speak). Sometimes just knowing why we have difficulty following through helps us to get organized and strategize our lives better than the converse of constantly being frustrated because we don’t understand why things never get done.
It is important to get the message out that ADHD really does exist and that it is a lifelong condition. If you feel like ADHD or ADD might be interfering with your life, I would encourage you to seek professional help.